Category Archives: Ideas

Exploring intersectionality through object-based learning with Dayna Tohidi

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I’m aware that I only have left 5 days at uni and that tomorrow I have my final presentation. The fact is I can’t change much of what I’ve done and what I’m going to present these few days at uni, but I’m still committed to keep on learning about different angles on inclusion and intersectionality. That’s why I decided to be part of the workshop that Academic Support was offering. The name was Exploring intersectionality through object-based learning and it catch my name immediately because my project is deeply related to intersectionality.

The workshop was today and when I got to the meeting point, I was the only student that appeared! I basically had a personal session with Dayna Tohidi, she’s a teacher at UAL and works also at the CSM Museum, she’s doing a research related on object based learining for neurodivergent students through action research methodology! So we talked loads about each other projects and she seemed very interested about mine. We did an exercise about emotional object reading and I picked some prosthetic nipples that were designed by an UAL student last year. It was a very moving exercise knowing that they were designed for breast cancer patients and have included the melatonin of the hair those patients lost during chemotherapy.

At the end we exchanged contacts and I received some feedback on how to make my exposition more inclusive considering the accessibility aspects I’ve pointed out before. She liked my idea of placing a disclaimer about the colour- filter aspect of my exposition.

Still sad about leaving uni but very happy I’ve had the possibility of sharing this type of spaces!

Festiva Ideas + Dragon’s Den Feedback

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Since the beginning of Unit 4, I’ve had the idea of creating a mirror with the silhouette of an average person, surrounded by data and information on design biases and the issues they create. I shared this concept in my tutorials and with Carolina, the MAAI student who helps with our creativity activities, and she suggested it could even work as an exhibition piece. I thought this mirror could really bring my research to life by allowing people to engage with it directly.

In the picture, my first prototype of what I thought it could be the mirror:

As deadlines approached, I started to panic about actually bringing the idea to reality, realizing I needed to figure out the logistics quickly. I asked Zuleika for help, and she challenged me to think about making the installation more interactive. She asked, “What do you want people to do with this information? How can you give them agency in this subject?”

Later that day, I presented in our Dragon’s Den session. I felt unexpectedly confident, even though I was nervous, since I’ve been discussing this topic all year. Emily, one of the dragons, was especially impressed by the branding for “Flag the Gap,” saying, “Your project is about making the invisible visible.” That completely resonated with me and she even suggested to make another intervention about using red flags in the space, and I think that could be an activity for the exhibition. I saw it as a chance to bring again Flag the gap and that excited me so much!

While reviewing my notes for my reflective journal, I rediscovered a metaphor I’d noted earlier—giving people glasses that allow them to see the red flags we often ignore. This is a random drawing I made after a tutorial and it says “that allows me to identify new realities”.

Concidently, a random post made my bring click: as a millennial, Twilight was a big part of my teenage years, and the simple trick of looking through blue plastic to see a “Twilight world” seemed so smart. Could I create a similar effect for people to see the “red flags” we miss due to lack of awareness?

This led me to explore anaglyph effects, using two colors. I think this concept could work well, but I still need to figure out the practical side. My idea now is to create a room where people can wear glasses or use another device to reveal hidden red flags around them. Here are some referents I found on internet:

Zuleika thought it was a clever direction but pointed out some important aspects to clarify:

  1. Think through the symbolism of using blue and red—how does it tie into my message?
  2. Define a clear call to action.
  3. Make the installation affordable and portable.

Interestingly, I realized that during Unit 1, my first intervention touched on ignorance, referencing the red pill/blue pill choice from The Matrix. It’s funny how things connect in the end.

Some clarity, at last. (?)

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It’s been very overwhelming dealing with the uncertainty of the project. I thought I had my path clear, but I discovered a phase of emptiness—if that makes sense. It feels like I’m starting from scratch, but at the same time, I know I have to trust the process.

The topic of gender biases in objects is no longer my main focus. I’ve been rereading books about sexism and misogyny and reflecting on why I’ve always been passionate about this topic. It makes me feel powerless, scared, and mad. Trying to define how these feelings relate to my project, I concluded that the subject that interests me the most is safety and security. The fear women have of being abused in different ways, and the fact that many of us experience it and need to keep moving forward.

Author Laura Bates created a blog called the Everyday Sexism Project, where women post about the horrible interactions they have experienced. I feel so connected to this because I’ve been through it, as have many of my friends. It’s a horrible feeling. As women, we experience this daily, and it’s just outrageous.

Thinking about how to relate this to my project, I need to rethink Flag the Gap and how the red flags could be part of this idea.

  • Could a red flag be a way of calling out sexist and abusive behaviors?
  • I had the idea of using red flag stickers for people to use in their environments, showing what they understand as their own red flags.
  • To address concerns about the environmental impact, I thought about using materials that are accessible and easily usable, such as rocks. I’m still not sure how, but maybe replacing red flags with red rocks that people could use.
  • Thinking about rocks led me to consider the weight many women have to deal with. It’s an invisible weight, but it’s there. Holding the rock, carrying the rock, owning the rock, and throwing it.